Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the bill. And I will tell you, I have great respect for the chairman and the author of the bill, but I respectfully disagree with them on this issue.

I've also served as an active volunteer with the Lung Association and with the Cancer Society and have worked diligently to stop teen smoking, but I disagree with the approach that is being taken here today.

Rather than forcing the ill-equipped FDA to regulate tobacco products, Congress should strengthen existing programs to prevent illegal tobacco use. And now the gentleman from Texas mentioned the Synar program. And I have had a piece of legislation, H.R. 5513, the Stop Adolescent Smoking Without Excessive Bureaucracy Act, that is a better solution and I think a better approach. It strengthens the existing work that the States and localities are doing to reduce underage tobacco use. It is an effective existing program.

My bill directly impacts youth access to tobacco products, which gets to the very root of the public health crisis that is brought about by the addiction of tobacco.

According to a recent Zogby poll, a majority of Americans, 82 percent, believe FDA control of tobacco would conflict with their core mission to secure the Nation's food and drug supply. And Madam Speaker, at a time when people are concerned about imported and domestic food, imported and domestic drugs, medical devices, and more, it is important that the FDA focus on that mission.

Consumers believe FDA product approval equals safety. And here we are talking about moving FDA control of tobacco and tobacco products and giving that the FDA seal of approval. I think that is a step we do not want to take.

If the gentleman will yield, first of all, I thank you for your leadership on the issue, because we all appreciate it, those of us in Republican Study Committee, and the Republican Conference, and I think the American people appreciate the leadership and the insight that you have brought to this issue.

Of course, at Energy and Commerce Committee I have had the opportunity to watch your leadership, even going back as we were working on the 2005 Energy Policy Act.

And I would imagine that some of our constituents who are at home and watching us carry out this colloquy and this discussion here on the floor are thinking, they are talking about coal. Now, I thought coal was a dirty fuel, and I sometimes will hear people talk about carbon emissions and not wanting to use coal because of the

emissions that go into the air and not wanting to use that natural resource.

Now, we all know that there are clean coal technologies that will prevent that. But I think that those who are sharing this discussion with us tonight would appreciate hearing just a little bit about some of the clean coal technologies that would allow the use of this vast supply of coal.

You know, most people refer to the United States as the Saudi Arabia of coal. We have got more than anyone else. And we have good, bright engineers and innovators who are using those skills and gifts to figure out ways to use this coal in an environmentally friendly way. And I would love to hear the gentleman's comments on that.

If the gentleman will yield.

You always make this point so beautifully. And the point is the technologies are there and available and ready to be used that would allow for clean coal usage.

So it really adds to the point that we all make, all-of-the-above: Short, mid-range, and long-range projects. That's what we need to address the energy issue. Making good use, being wise stewards of all of our natural resources, whether it is oil or gas or coal, whether it is switchgrass and waste that we can use for biodiesels and renewables. Whether it is the engineers and their ability to develop new nuclear that is safe and will help power our electric power. Looking at wind, looking at hydroelectric, depending on what those God-given natural resources are that we have at our disposal to you.

Madam Speaker, the President lifted the executive ban on offshore oil and natural gas exploration last week, and now Congress, this Democrat-led Congress, is what stands in the way of increased domestic supply and lower prices.

Well, instead of taking steps toward a solution, the House Democrat leadership has said ``no'' to the American people: go buy a hybrid, take a subway to work. Well, in my Seventh District of Tennessee, that doesn't work, because mass transit is not there.

Congress should open up ANWR, the Outer Continental Shelf, and should promote the construction of oil refineries and nuclear power plants. We need a short-, a mid-range and long-term solution. We should provide tax incentives for American families to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles and to promote energy innovation and efficiency.

Republicans have offered a bill that includes all of the above, promoting American-made energy in the short-, mid-, and long-range plan.

Let's solve this problem, Madam Speaker. It requires action now.

I thank the gentleman from Texas for his leadership on this issue. Indeed, he understands how the people of our great Nation, and certainly of my district of Tennessee, are suffering with the increase in the price at the pump that they have seen since January of 2007. In my district of Tennessee, this has changed. So I have come to the floor today to oppose this bill because it is the wrong bill at the wrong time.

And one of the things that we have come to realize, and I think it's been a painful realization for many people, is they have watched the Democrat leadership of this House. They have seen that the Democrat majority is not wanting to take the action that is necessary to address the issue, whether we're talking about short term for immediate relief, mid-range so that we

can address what is coming next, and then long term so that little children, like my new grandson who is 2 months old, will have a consistent steady and dependable energy supply.

Indeed, releasing a portion of the SPR is the wrong move now. Americans are wanting to see American solutions and American exploration take place to address this issue.

Congress has the ability to do that, and we continue to be blocked from taking the necessary actions by the liberal leadership that is choosing to not take the actions necessary to address this.

Our Nation is being placed at risk. Not only our energy security, but our national security is placed at risk by the actions of a kick-the- can Congress who wants to just finish it out, get away for an August recess, and not address the issue at hand. At $4 a gallon, the price at the pump, indeed it is time for us to take action.

Mr. Speaker, you know, it is so interesting serving on the Health Subcommittee at Energy and Commerce, and one of the things that we look at and are very concerned about, 11 years from now the Medicare trust fund could go bankrupt. That's what we hear from the trustees. Health care spending is going to be 20 percent of the GDP as we go through the next 10 years.

And here we had a trigger, something that is a nugget of good government that is put into an entitlement bill. And look at what is happening? This is what you're wanting to take away. It is put there to look at the long-term solvency of this problem. And that is one of the things that we hear from our constituents every day. They have their money that they have earned, that they are putting in every month so that Medicare will be there for them when they retire.

And what do they get from you all? You're not wanting to come in and address this issue. You want to pull the trigger back.

I think it is irresponsible. I do think it is an abdication of our responsibility, and I would encourage those here to oppose that resolution.

Madam Speaker, in a recent Reuters/Zogby poll, we learned that 75 percent of Americans support drilling for oil offshore. In other polls, between 68 and 76 percent of all Americans favor immediate oil and gas exploration onshore.

Last week, after reading those polls, the Democrat leadership decided they would take some action and brought forward a faulty bill to try to improve their image. Of course, the bill failed.

Now we do have agreement on one issue, Madam Speaker--that we should be drilling. Republicans are not waiting for others to take action. We are continuing to take action and continuing to bring forward possible solutions to this problem.

Today is one of those. We will introduce a comprehensive energy solution this afternoon that would address America's energy concerns and begin to look at short-term, mid-range and long-range planning for our Nation's energy supply.

What a plan. What a concept. Develop a comprehensive plan to make certain that we address the price at the pump.

Mr. Speaker, it is hot in Tennessee this summer, and in my district, a lot of us are moving the thermostat up, the house is a little bit warmer, we're sitting on the front porch, and we're asking ourselves a question: Are we better off or worse off today than we were in the summer of 2006? I will tell you what my constituents are saying: They were better off in 2006, and they're asking what has happened since that time.

Well, the Democrats took control of both chambers of this House. And you know what? They are not doing one thing to turn the heat down on the American consumer. As long as the energy crisis is not addressed, the price of oil is going to affect everything else: transportation, food, home cooling, home heating this fall. TVA, which provides electricity for most Tennesseans as well as six other States and over 8.8 million people, recently had to increase its wholesale fuel cost. Of course, the price gets passed on to the consumer and the consumer pays the bill.

We have legislation that would address this issue, Mr. Speaker. It is time for action.

Mr. Speaker, the Democrat majority in this House is just refusing to bring forth any legislation that will deal with the price at the pump. I think that they are content to have their constituents either ride a bike or walk to get where they want to go. In my Seventh District of Tennessee, that does not work.

What they might not know is that what we see happening at the pump is happening in every single energy sector. Tennesseeans and Americans are paying more than ever for their gasoline, their groceries, and naturally to heat and cool their homes. It's bad enough during the summer driving months, but what my friends across the aisle might not know is that utility officials in Memphis have projected a 30-percent spike in the cost of natural gas for this fall. That is on top of a 13\1/2\ percent increase last fall.

This Congress must take action and the United States must diversify its energy portfolio and incentivize all types of energy production: Oil, natural gas, geothermal, hydroelectric, nuclear. It's all there.

The energy crisis affects everyone, Mr. Speaker. It is time for action.

Madam Speaker, this June, the Fort Campbell community honored the life and service of a trusted and treasured teacher, the late Emma Green Evans Abernathy.

A dedicated teacher for over 40 years, Emma touched countless lives, especially during her time teaching at Marshall Elementary on Fort Campbell. She provided much wisdom, encouragement, and counsel to military children and their parents by drawing upon her own experience as a military spouse.

After earning a degree in Elementary Education from Morris College in South Carolina, Emma later studied at South Carolina State College and Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. Emma actively served as a member of Soldier's Chapel on Fort Campbell, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and served as the Sunday School Superintendent. In addition, Emma contributed her time to such civic groups as the Order of the Eastern Star, the NAACP, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Along with Emma's husband, James Abernathy, her children and grandchildren, the entire Fort Campbell and Clarksville community celebrates the life of this remarkable woman.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in reflecting on the outstanding example of balancing family, business and community service that Emma set. Many Tennesseans are better for having known her.

Mr. Speaker, it's good to be back. I had a wonderful week in my Seventh Congressional District in Tennessee, a great district that has rural areas, suburban and metropolitan areas. And everywhere I went, people were saying: What is Congress going to do right now to get the price down at the pump?

Well, my constituents know this affects every family every day, the price at the pump. They also know it is an energy independence issue, and yes, indeed, they do know that this is an issue of national security.

Yet the Democrat leadership of this House doesn't want to do one thing on debating this issue. Well, we have some bills that are in there.

How about, Mr. Speaker, if we debate H.R. 3089, a bill to promote domestic oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy production? Or there's H.R. 5984, to offer incentives for clean energy production and energy efficiency?

The Democrat solution seems to be simple and ill-advised: just drive a smaller car, take the bus, or walk if you can.

These may not be bad things, but they are often impossible for Tennesseans in my Seventh Congressional District. They want real solutions now.

Madam Speaker, as I come to the floor today to speak, friends and colleagues of Anne Ragsdale are gathering in Nashville to celebrate her life and her many contributions to her city and to her country. Anne Ragsdale was an extraordinary woman who chose to spend her life encouraging others and inspiring those of us who knew her to give selflessly of our time and talents. Anne Ragsdale believed in this great nation and its goodness and felt that every child who called America home should be able to dream big dreams and have those dreams come true. She embodied the spirit of philanthropy, never giving for any reason other than knowing that her gifts would make a positive difference in the lives of others. She did not focus on herself. She focused on the people around her: her family, her friends, her charitable causes, and her church. As a matter of fact, if she were standing here on this floor with me today, she would probably tell me to use the time focusing on a cause for human good and not to use the time talking about her. Those of us who called her our friend loved this trait in Anne.

Anne held a deep and abiding faith and was an active member of First Southern Methodist Church of Nashville and was a member of St. Paul Southern Methodist Church for 25 years. In the community, her true passion involved helping children in need and providing them with education in a safe and loving environment. She and her husband, Dick, have been wonderful supporters of scholarships and educational opportunities for children at schools throughout Tennessee.

She was a small businesswoman, homemaker, and activist for many charitable causes. She was also co-founder and board member of Birthright of Nashville, YMCA Community Action Programs and East Academy. She served on the board of directors of the Salvation Army, Nashville for 15 years and also on the board of Alive Hospice. She was a founding member of the Nashville Symphony's Schermerhorn Symphony Center. She especially enjoyed serving as the costume designer for the Nashville Children's Theatre.

Anne Ragsdale will be missed. Her participation and support will be missed by the schools, churches and organizations to which she provided leadership and support. She will be missed by her friends who leaned on her for support and comfort. She will be missed by the family she adored and cherished.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in appreciation of a life well lived.

Mr. Speaker, in middle Tennessee today, you are going to pay about $3.93 for a gallon of gas. My constituent families know that this price is outrageous, and they know that now they are being faced with choices: How much are they going to put in the tank or how much are they going to put in that grocery cart when they go to the grocery store? This is unacceptable, and my constituents know that.

They also know that there are some things that we could and should be doing. May I offer a suggestion to that, Mr. Speaker. Here is a simple way to start:

To the Democrat leadership, admit you made a mistake, and repeal the so-called Energy Independence and Security Act that you passed last December that didn't produce one bit of oil or gas or move anything to the marketplace. It put in place roadblocks, and we have far too many roadblocks to putting gas into the pumps and into our cars.

Specifically, let's repeal section 526 of this so-called Energy Policy Act, and let's get rid of a roadblock that makes it more difficult for the U.S. Government to address the needs that we have and, certainly, for our Air Force.

There are many things that we could and should be doing before we leave for July 4. There are things that we could and should be doing to make certain that our constituents have a safer July 4th celebration.

Let's reduce the price at the pump.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Old Hickory Post 77 American Legion Auxiliary in Lexington, Tennessee on its outstanding work and accomplishments. Across the country, the women of the American Legion Auxiliary strive to promote American patriotism and responsible citizenship. This particular auxiliary in Lexington has fully lived up to the American Legion Auxiliary's mission to serve veterans, their families and their communities.

Chartered in 1933, the Lexington auxiliary was recently reactivated on January 26, 2008. Led by their current president, Julia McBee, the members of this auxiliary have accomplished a great deal in a short period of time. Only days after reactivation, the members of the Lexington Auxiliary organized a Valentine Project for the local National Guard Unit deployed to Iraq. A resounding success, the event raised enough money to send care packages to every member of the unit. These ladies have instituted various projects not only to promote the well-being of veterans and troops, but also to support the community as a whole, with special attention to local Lexington schools.

Please join me in honoring the members of the Lexington American Legion for their hard work, dedication, and unwavering patriotism. I wish to thank all the members of Old Hickory Post 77, including their officers and chairmen: Julia Annice McBee, Jo Ann Cody, Kathy Brown, Oneida Dangler, Mary Appell, Marcia Gilbert, Ruth Hurtt, Marene Snow, Jane Galey, Lutie Houston, Patricia Holmes, Venita Russell, Linda Lindsey, Denise Joyner, Hester Stitch, Diane Jowers, Lynn Lewis, Marcia Gilbert, and Janice Barker.

I thank the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. Speaker, he mentioned earlier in his comments the lack of hearings that we have had on this issue. Indeed, this morning over in Energy and Commerce there is a hearing on health issues, but nothing to do with Medicare reform, nothing to do with this situation that is before us right now. Indeed, late notice was mentioned.

Mr. Speaker, I think that what we see here is a pattern that is developing with the majority party, and when they don't want to talk about something, they don't want to debate it on the floor, they want to maybe cover a few things into the bill, then we have it on suspension calendar. I find that very unfortunate.

I will say this. With H.R. 6331, 89 percent of our seniors in Tennessee that are enrolled in Medicare Advantage would be adversely impacted by this bill. This is something, this bill, H.R. 6331, would leave a lot of our elderly patients and doctors in peril, while the leadership in this body is playing politics with Medicare.

We have heard about the 10 percent cut on July 1. We have heard about procrastinating and leaving this until the 11th hour rather than taking significant action. Mr. Speaker, I think that we have to look at what is happening to Medicare. I am deeply concerned about this issue and how it impacts our seniors.

We know that the Medicare trust fund is likely to go bankrupt in 2019. These aren't my figures, these are the Congressional Budget Office figures. We know that this year, we hit the 45 percent trigger, which occurs when Congress is obliged to find a new way to curb Medicare spending. This bill does not do one thing to curb that spending. It makes it worse. It is unfair to our seniors.

I urge a ``no'' vote.

Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to rise today to honor Joe Ray Stewart of Houlka, Mississippi, for his fine service to our Nation during the Second World War.

Mr. Stewart served in the European Theatre under Generals Patton and Eisenhower, and built bridges wherever needed. In December 1944, the soldiers of the 249th Engineer Combat Battalion moved from building a bridge on the Saar River to the Ardennes, to block German advances in the Battle of the Bulge. The battalion was then assigned to the engineer task force charged to cross the Rhine River in Germany, and later tasked with securing and maintaining the bridges on the Rhine.

It has come to my attention that during his deployment, Mr. Stewart fought in three major battles, including the Battle of the Bulge, advanced to the rank of Corporal, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for bravery in action.

The family of Joe Ray Stewart, residing in Tennessee's Seventh District, joins me in recognizing a beloved and great American. As with all who serve in our Armed Forces, our veterans' dedication and selflessness has allowed our Nation the enduring blessing of freedom and democracy.

I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in honoring Joe Ray Stewart and remembering the service of all those veterans who risked their lives to defend our country and the entire free world.